Religion

Comfort Socks to host afternoon of entertainment
Comfort Socks invites everyone to share an afternoon of entertainment, based on compassion, on Saturday, Aug. 4, at New Life Christian Fellowship, 2162 Stone Chimney Road in Supply.
Doors will open about 1:45 p.m. and admission is free. There are about 100 seats available, so admission will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. A love offering to benefit Comfort Socks will take place.

At a recent memorial service, the pastor depicted the ambivalent joy that emerged in his life because of his friendship with a parishioner who was, most assuredly, different.
It was not that she lacked physical ability or intellectual acumen. Her “difference” was she fearlessly spoke her mind when others might well have kept fearfully silent. She voiced her opinion in person, via email, by phone conversation, whenever and wherever she felt necessary.

New Ebenezer to have Bible School
Bishop Ronnie McCray, pastor, and New Ebenezer Faith Ministries, 1705 Southport-Supply Road in Bolivia, will host vacation Bible school nightly at 6 p.m. July 23-27. This year’s theme is “Bible Boot Camp: The Armor of God.”

I guess each of us, at one point or another in life, has had to make the crucial choice between fear and faith. We have had to opt for an abiding faith even if we are sometimes afraid.
We cannot serve two masters. We will either elect to abide in fear or to have an abiding faith.
The choice is not always clear nor comfortable. Fear is a powerful factor in our decision-making. I know I am often afraid. I am especially afraid of telling the truth when I know it will involve and evolve into communication that might well be confrontational.

Come worship at New Ebenezer Faith Ministries
Bishop Ronnie McCray, pastor, and New Ebenezer Faith Ministries, 1705 Southport-Supply Road in Bolivia, has morning worship services at 11:15 a.m. on the first, second, third and fourth Sundays of every month.
Sunday school begins at 9:45 a.m. Intercessory prayer is at 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Bible study/youth night live every Friday night at 7 p.m.
Dine with the church from 6-9 p.m. every second and fourth Friday (feeding the community).

Envy and jealousy plague the lives of good people. Yes, good people! Goodhearted individuals try hard to dispel those feelings but they persist in tormenting us, no matter how virtuous we are.
It could be we are troubled by an inability to believe in our own lovableness. Perhaps we suffer from poor self-images.
Whatever the reason, we frequently look around, see the luck and fortune others seem to enjoy and feel a twinge of envy. We crave what they have and long to change places with them.

Sermon set for July 15
“God Called a Party” will be the title of Pastor Jeff Roberts’ sermon at the 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. “Parable of the Sower” will be the title of Assistant Pastor Gary Albertson’s sermon at 11 a.m. in Murrow Hall on Sunday, July 15, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 209 E. Nash St. in Southport.
Based on scripture from Luke 15:1-32, 2 Samuel 12:1-6 and Luke 8: 1-18, this is the first of a six-part sermon series on Kingdom Parables.

They sit, husband and wife, intent on the songs and prayers of the worship service. I watch and see the grace of years spent together realized in his attentive gaze.
He is wary and caring, knowing that his wife has entered a new place, a new space in life. She is also embraced by the arms of dementia.

For many people, retirement is volunteerism. Days and evenings are parceled into allotted timetables for civic or religious organizations, hobby groups of all sorts. Time, talents, energy, and finances are universally shared. Workshops are attended to attain more information to be distributed among all the organizations that have staked their claim on us. We feel both stretched and fulfilled, but also and often somewhat frazzled. One can almost hear the sighed statement: “It is better to give than to receive.”

The Master’s Men, an all-male a cappella inspirational ensemble from Raleigh, will present “Songs of Faith” at Camp United Methodist Church in Shallotte at 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 12.
Tickets are $10 and will be available beginning July 5 at the church office at 4807 Main St. in Shallotte from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Friday from the United Methodist Women or at the door, if available. Proceeds will support UMW missions, both locally and beyond. Call 754-4840.